Our big plan this year was the Teton Crest Trail. As a prelude, altitude adjustment, and warmup, we did the Sawtooth Wilderness Alice/Toxaway Lake loop. This exact hike was featured in Backpacker so we thought this ‘must do’ Sawtooth hike would get us used to the crowds that swarm the Tetons.

Plan 1: If we travel over night, we could meet oldranger and markskor at the trailhead. BUT, when push came to shove, we decided to travel rested and in daylight instead of pulling another on road all-nighter.

So much for the plan. Rummaging thru everything as the sun sank:[/url]

Starting late, 7 PM, was new to us, but after my grump wore off, I kinda liked it. By the time we cleared the end of Pettit Lake it was getting dark, but we pushed on till, after the first real climb, we spied a clearing next to the creek. We lucked out—just behind our bags in the photo the creek dropped over a cliff, making a great waterfall and giving us a good bear hang.

Morning shot of our Home Sweet First Night’s bivy:

Day 1. Bivy site to Twin Lakes.

We had a headstart, so we could dawdle. First creek crossing:

Salami Cheese Mayo Mustard Bagel Sandwiches at Alice Lake:

As you can see from our attire, the weather wasn’t blue sky tropical. More like swirling crud gray. Silver lining, not too sweaty hiking to the lower of the Twin Lakes:

And down to Toxaway Lake—notice abundant clouds (active T storm in progress NE of lake).

Thanks change quick here. Waiting out T storm:

Farley Lake, our night’s stop, is a very deep lake alive with fish at dusk. Avalanches have not been kind to the trees around the lake—reducing most to broken rubble.

The White Clouds in last light:[/url]

Thunderstorms and showers continued after dark.

Day 3. Farley Lake back to Pettit Lake.

The night continued tempestuous even after the storms ended. Chris started running a high fever and we had trouble keeping him comfortable.

Dawn brought a better day. Last stream crossing:

The trail travels over some rather featureless wooded terrain until you reach the Pettit Lake trail, which climbs over the big moraine separating Pettit Lake from Yellow Belly Lake.

Dropping down to Pettit Lake:

Both Saturday and Sunday we met a number of horse parties and pack trains on their way in. At the TH we found out that the Idaho Trails Association was having its annual trail maintenance week out of ‘our’ trailhead.

The Alice/Toxaway Lake loop offers high scenic reward for little work. Although the hiker parking lot was full and we were never alone, we never felt crowded. For those so inclined, there were lots of fish in all the lakes. This loop hike is a very worthwhile introduction to the Sawtooth Mountains if you have but 2 or 3 days for sampling.

Eiprahs -Nice report and sorry we missed seeing/meeting you. We did spend time driving through a series of campgrounds looking ...was worth it just seeing Pettit Lake area - checking out the many facilities available.

I was amazed by the similarities in plant life Sawtooths vs Sierra...subtle differences - Sulfur Paintbrush vs our Reds/Violets; Lodge poles starkly skinny - more like cathedral spires up there in the Sawtooths. Granite formations very similar too but a bit more worn down as Idaho mountains years older.

We rode horses in/spot packed, (FYI, not that fun after 12+ long trail miles - ouch), looks like same trail - recognize that ford, past Farley and Toxaway, all the way to Edna. We never stopped but pretty country...never saw Alice either as our 15 day route took us on a slightly longer itinerary.

Mike says we owe you a sincere note of thanks for helping him plan our Sawtooth trip - BTW, one of our best fishing trips ever...valuable insider fishing info given...maybe next time in person?Nice chairs!mark